Enjoying invisibility

[Looubylou]

Am I the only one who is actually LOVING the invisibility of middle age? I'm 52 and think it is fabulous that I can walk into a crowded place and no one looks round. I now feel free not to wear makeup if I choose because I don't feel I'm under the microscope/noticed/commented on anymore. Why are constantly told we should feel bad about this - I feel set free!

@WorraLiberty

That has nothing to do with how the victim looks Flashers are mostly opportunists and will expose themselves to the first female who walks by, if the area is quiet.

Odd, then, that it happened to me over and over again age 11-18, regularly age 19-25, sometimes age 26+ and almost never now I'm 40.

I have always walked around and used public transport on my own. Nothing has changed except my age.

I’m 50 and look more attractive each year 😃

People moan about the masks, but it hides my aging acne and I just put on a bit of eye make up ! I don't hate them as much as others seem to oddly enough. It is a strange thing.

Early 40s here and I love it. Can still glam up if I want to and enjoy it but equally I'll happily pop to the shops looking a bit of a mess and don't give a shit like I used to. It's so empowering. I was attractive and slim as a young un and have realised that as a result of that, people had expectations of me. I felt 'watched'. People would comment on what I wore and how I looked and so it was hard to just not give a shit back then. It was almost as if I owed them me presented nicely.
Hurrah for freedom.

No idea if I'm invisible....I don't think I am at 61. Just had hair done and feel great. I never go out looking a mess...just not my thing.

Interesting that people equate 'no makeup' with looking a mess or not making an effort.

I know many people, including me, who don't look like we've been to hell and back without makeup. It's not 'makeup' or 'trash'. I look the same with or without makeup, in terms of being nicely-presented except that with makeup, I have makeup on.

When I look a mess, it's because I haven't freshened or tidied up, not because I don't have makeup on.

I voted YANBU although sometimes I do just want to yell at people:
"I WASN'T ALWAYS THIS OLD AND INVISIBLE YOU KNOW - I USED TO BE A ROCK CHICK - I SAW NIRVANA LIVE !"
But I don't think they'd believe me (it is true though)

at I saw Nirvana live

I love it too! I have earned my face, and I still feel beautiful but now I feel like a respected woman rather than the objectified girl/woman that I was (not intentionally). Now more than ever I am comfortable in my own skin.

I hated it at first but I've learned how to embrace it. I was always shy and self conscious so it has been liberating in a way I never expected.

I’m 47 & haven’t been arsed with makeup since university. I can be visible if I want but the invisibility is bloody useful.

Started happening to me since I became a mum. I haven’t rushed to get the baby weight off mainly because it’s really nice not to be hassled or looked at by men. I no longer feel self conscious walking down the street. I had quite a lot of unpleasant experiences in my 20’s.

I don't feel invisible, but I effing hate it when I'm called Madam.
It gives me the rage

@SnowAllSpring. I think (hope) things have changed. I'm going to guess you're a similar age to me, and I've certainly had the same kind of experiences at similar young ages of men flashing me. I think it is treated more seriously now. In the 80s there was an attitude of 'urghh, pervert' but it wasn't considered a child sex offence that would put you on the sex offenders register like it is now. In fact I don't think paedophilia was really spoken of in the media at all if I'm remembering rightly. I hope things are better.

@Didiusfalco I don't know either but I hope you're right. My daughter, my eldest, will start secondary school in September next year. I really, really hope she doesn't have to go through what I did during my secondary school years.